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The Movie: This week, Disney offers five new titles for kids, including two "Power Rangers" titles, a new feature-length adventure for "The Proud Family", more from "That's So Raven", and the first volume of the second season of "Gargoyles". The series stars former Cosby kid Raven as Raven Baxter, a psychic (she has flashes of the future) teen dealing with common problems and trying to have fun with her goofy friend, Chelsea (Anneliese van der Pol) and her pal, Eddie (Orlando Brown). Raven also has to deal with her caring parents, Tanya (T'Keyah Crystal Keymah) and Victor (Rondell Sheridan). "Raven's House Party" offers five episodes: "The Four Aces" (Raven, Eddie and Chelsea do community service at a retirement home), "Too Much Pressure" (Raven and Chelsea desperately try to figure out how to be in their favorite music group's new video), "Double Vision" (Raven finds out that a boy she likes also has psychic powers), "Opportunity Shocks" (Raven and friends have to brainstorm ideas, but they keep getting interrupted) and a bonus, never-before seen episode, "Vision Impossible" (Raven goes to get help when she finds herself having weird visions.) "Proud Family Movie" is the feature-length effort based upon the popular Saturday Morning animated TV series. The series focuses on the adventures of an African-American family: teen Penny (Kyla Pratt), father Oscar (Tommy Davidson), mother Trudy (Paula Jai Parker), little brother Cece and sister Bebe (Tara Strong), as well as grandmother Suga Mama (Jo Marie Payton). In the film, Penny finds herself disappointed when her father still treats her like a kid - not only can she not be a dancer at the upcoming half-time show featuring rapper 15 Cent, she has to go on vacation with her family to the island of Legume. Unfortunately for them, the island is run by the evil Dr. Carver, who has secretly brought the family to the island in order to take Oscar's new secret formula, which he'll use to attempt a world takeover. With the family captured, it's up to Penny to save the world. Two new "Power Rangers: SPD" volumes offer fans a chance to own 10 episodes (5 each). "Zapped" contains: "Messenger - Parts 1 & 2", "Zapped" and "Reflection - Part 1 & 2". The set also contains a bonus episode, "Wormhole". "Boom" offers: "Boom", "Recognition", "Samurai", "Dismissed", "Perspective" and, as with "Zapped", "Wormhole" is also offered here as a bonus feature. Finally, Disney releases the first half of the second season of "Gargoyles", a popular (as co-creator Greg Weisman notes, when Disney approached him for a second season, he thought they could produce between six and, at the most eighteen. Disney came back with an order of fifty-two.) mid-90's animated series that still remains a cult favorite today. Targeted towards older children, the series focused on a group of gargoyles who, despite getting little respect from humans, guarded over a castle in the year 994. However, the group is betrayed by someone they thought they could trust, and end up cursed to live in stone, until a billionaire aquires the castle and moves it to Manhattan. Once there, the spell is broken, and the creatures find themselves trying to find their place in the modern world. The second season saw the show expanding, with a new character, Angela and many new crew members. This set includes the first half of the second season of "Gargoyles". Episodes in the set are: 14. 2- 1 4 Sep 95 Leader of the Pack 15. 2- 2 5 Sep 95 Metamorphosis 16. 2- 3 6 Sep 95 Legion 17. 2- 4 7 Sep 95 A Lighthouse in the Sea of Time 18. 2- 5 11 Sep 95 The Mirror 19. 2- 6 12 Sep 95 The Silver Falcon 20. 2- 7 13 Sep 95 Eye of the Beholder 21. 2- 8 14 Sep 95 Vows 22. 2- 9 18 Sep 95 City of Stone, Part One 23. 2-10 19 Sep 95 City of Stone, Part Two 24. 2-11 20 Sep 95 City of Stone, Part Three 25. 2-12 21 Sep 95 City of Stone, Part Four 26. 2-13 25 Sep 95 High Noon 27. 2-14 28 Sep 95 Outfoxed 28. 2-15 12 Oct 95 The Price 29. 2-16 26 Oct 95 Revelations 30. 2-17 6 Nov 95 Double Jeopardy 31. 2-18 9 Nov 95 Upgrade 32. 2-19 13 Nov 95 Protection 33. 2-20 16 Nov 95 The Cage 34. 2-21 20 Nov 95 Avalon, Part One 35. 2-22 21 Nov 95 Avalon, Part Two 36. 2-23 22 Nov 95 Avalon, Part Three 37. 2-24 23 Nov 95 Shadows of the Past 38. 2-25 27 Nov 95 Heritage 39. 2-26 28 Nov 95 Monsters 40. 2-27 14 Dec 95 Golem 41. 2-28 18 Dec 95 Sanctuary 42. 2-29 21 Dec 95 M.I.A. 43. 2-30 28 Dec 95 Grief 44. 2-31 5 Feb 96 Kingdom The DVD VIDEO: All titles are offered by Disney in 1.33:1 full-frame. Image quality remained pleasant throughout, with satisfactory sharpness and detail. Colors remained bright and vivid, especially on the animated titles. The "Power Rangers" releases offered "broadcast quality" presentations. "Gargoyles", also presented in its original 1.33:1 full-frame aspect ratio, SOUND: The "Power Rangers" titles are presented with their original Dolby 2.0 audio tracks, and audio quality is generally fine. "Raven" and "Proud Family" are presented with Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks that mildly open up the material. "Gargoyles" is presented with a very enjoyable 2.0 soundtrack that, despite being a little under 10-years-old, still boasts full, rich sound quality. EXTRAS: "Gargoyles" offers audio commentaries on selected episodes, "The Gathering of the Cast and Crew" feature and episode intros with co-creator Greg Weisman. Both "Power Rangers" titles offer a "Power Rangers Want You" featurette and an interactive game. "Raven" offers bloopers and a music quiz ("That's So Raven Radio Trivia Game"). Finally, "Proud Family Movie" boasts a never-before-seen alternate ending, an interactive game and "Shorties" - animated shorts from the series. Final Thoughts: This week's Disney releases for kids offer action for older children ("Gargoyles") and younger ones ("Power Rangers"), as well as releases that can be enjoyed by the whole family ("Proud Family", "Raven"). Fans of any of the shows should consider picking these titles up. |